In this insightful and candid episode, Joseph Nagle, Head of Strategy at Pando Electric, shares how his team is disrupting the EV charging space by simplifying the tech, targeting underserved communities, and building a resilient, mission-aligned company culture.

From securing a $5.4 million state grant to pioneering smart outlet charging that cuts costs and maintenance, Joseph walks us through what it takes to build a scalable and meaningful solution in an emerging industry—while also opening up about leadership, hiring, and the importance of persistence.

📝 EPISODE NOTES

🚀 Startup Journey & Industry Insights

• Pando Electric’s innovation: A smart outlet solution for EV charging in multifamily buildings—cheaper, easier to install, and far less prone to vandalism than traditional chargers.
• Why outlets over chargers? “It’s a more simplistic product. People already know how to use an outlet.”
• Impact of the California Energy Commission Grant: $5.4M to install 1,600+ outlets across California, primarily in disadvantaged and underserved communities.

💼 Human Resources & Culture

• Hiring Philosophy: Look for people who are hungry, creative problem-solvers, not just technically proficient.
• Interview Tactics: Open-ended questions and unexpected prompts to assess thinking, creativity, and how candidates handle uncertainty.
• Onboarding Strategy: New hires start with hands-on learning and eventually take on a “capstone project” to identify and address a real gap in the business.
• Retention Approach: Equity-based incentives and alignment with the company mission over prestige or big-name offers.

🧠 Leadership & Personal Lessons

• Joseph’s biggest takeaway from years in EV startups?
• “Patience and persistence. Every project will have something go absolutely horribly wrong.”
• He stresses the importance of seeking help and building community around your venture:
• “Even if you’re the smartest person on the planet, you can’t do it all by yourself.”

💬 MEMORABLE QUOTES

"We're not just talking a good game—we're deploying over 1,600 charging outlets where people live."

— On Pando Electric’s mission to bring EV charging to multifamily communities.

"We didn’t make the product more complex—we made it radically simpler. And that’s what unlocked the market."

— On choosing outlets over traditional chargers.

"You don’t want to just hire someone for the job—they need to be the right fit for the company."

— On culture-based hiring in early-stage startups.

"We ask them to find a hole and fill it. That’s how we learn where they shine."

— On the unique “capstone project” approach to onboarding.

"Every single project I’ve ever worked on—something goes absolutely horribly wrong. Expect it."

— On the reality of entrepreneurship and the power of persistence.

"Find people who are willing to help you... for nothing. And then pay it forward."

— On building a support system and mentoring others.